See the best of China

Explore Beijing, Shanghai, and More

Itinerary

Day 1 – Beijing

On your arrival, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure.

Welcome to a capital city whose story goes back at least 3000 years. In Beijing, you’ll find a wealth of history, both ancient (the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Summer Palace, Forbidden City) and more recent (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square).

Day 2 – Beijing

Today your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit the Great Wall at Juyong Pass and the Ming Tombs. In the evening enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the best Peking Duck restaurants.

Great Wall at Juyong Pass : The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world. In fact, the length of all Chinese defense walls built over the last 2000 years is approximately 50,000 kilometres, while the Earth’s circumference is only 40,000 kilometres! The Juyong section of the Great Wall is one of the three greatest mountain passes of the Wall. One of the most interesting features of this section is the Cloud Platform, which was originally built in 1342 and boasted three white pagodas made of marble. Parts of the platform have been destroyed over the centuries, but the stone balustrades, watchtower and Buddhist carvings still remain.

Enjoy lunch before continuing on to your next stop.

Ming Tombs : The Ming Tombs are a collection of imperial mausoleums built by the Chinese Ming dynasty emperors. After the Yongle Emperor finished the Forbidden City in 1420, he began constructing his own mausoleum outside of Beijing. Subsequent emperors placed their tombs in the same valley, resulting in the fascinating sight you can see there today. Visit the highlights of the area, including the Sacred Way, the imperial road leading to the tombs, which is lined with massive stone statues that lend a divine atmosphere to the whole experience.

Peking Duck Dinner : Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the best Peking duck restaurants in the city. This local delicacy is made using a recipe from China’s imperial era, and is prized for its crispy, rich skin. The meat is rolled into thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber and sweet and salty bean sauce. Don’t worry if your chopstick skills need some work, as these tasty creations can be eaten by hand!

Day 3 – Beijing

Today your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

Tiananmen Square : Prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of one of the world’s largest public squares, measuring in at 440,000 square meters (over 109 acres). As you walk from the southernmost part of the square all the way down its length, you will pass several monuments, including the mausoleum that houses Chairman Mao’s remains. The northern gate of the square features a portrait of the PRC’s founding father, and is also the gate through which you will enter the Forbidden City.

Forbidden City (Close on Monday) : The Forbidden City was completed in 1420, and was home to 24 emperors, the last of which left Beijing in 1924. The entire imperial complex is reputed to have 9999 rooms, which at its peak housed up to 10,000 people, including the imperial family, 3000 eunuchs, as well as maids and concubines. Discover for yourself why the 170 acres were forbidden to common people as you stroll through what is arguably the best-preserved example of classical Chinese architecture in the world.

Summer Palace : The Summer Palace is one of the largest and best-preserved imperial gardens in the world. In the 18th century, Emperor Qianlong enlarged and embellished it, only to abandon it a few years later. The grounds today are stunning, as is the lovely Kunming Lake, which occupies more than three quarters of the total area. Enjoy a boat ride before walking the Long Corridor, a 728-metre (well over 2000-foot) hall featuring 8000 paintings collected by the Emperor during his travels around the country.

After your visit, go back to your hotel for a free evening at leisure and dinner on your own.

Day 4 – Xi’an

Today your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit the Temple of Heaven and the Rickshaw Tour of Hutongs.

Temple of Heaven : This tranquil park is often a favorite stop for visitors to Beijing, as it provides you with an authentic look into local life in this city. On any given day, it is possible to see enthusiastic groups of Beijingers practicing Tai Chi, playing traditional instruments, or singing Peking Opera. The grounds consist of a sequence of buildings and altars set in beautiful groves of cypress trees. Learn more about the fascinating history behind this massive, circular structure and see local life unfold before your eyes in this very special visit to the Temple of Heaven.

Rickshaw Tour of Hutongs : The word “hutong” refers to the narrow network of lanes created by closely built quadrangular homes. Once the primary architectural feature of China’s capital city, hutongs now make up only a small fraction of Beijing, having been replaced by high-rise buildings in recent years. Recapture the feeling of Beijing’s past from the wooden seat of a traditional rickshaw, and visit a local family’s courtyard home along the way.

Enjoy lunch with a local family before transferring to the Beijing airport for your departure flight. Flight to Xi’an.

Upon arrival in Xi’an, your private guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and dinner on your own.

Day 5 – Xi’an

Today your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit the Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque.

Terracotta Warriors : One of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors were discovered quite by chance in 1974 by a group of peasants digging a well outside of Xi’an. These sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses were funerary statues made to accompany China’s first emperor to the afterlife over 2100 years ago. Legend has it that it took 100,000 men 38 years to create the soldiers, which all vary in rank, posture, height, uniform and facial features. It is believed that there are still thousands of warriors and hundreds of horses and chariots buried in the three pits discovered so far. However, further excavations have been halted while researchers try to find a way to preserve the colorful paint that covers the statues from disintegrating once exposed to air.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda : Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally built in 652 AD during the Tang dynasty. It houses some of the most important sutras and figurines of the Buddha, brought over to China from India by the famous monk Xuanzang.

Great Mosque : Built in 742 AD, the Great Mosque is still used today as a place of worship by Chinese Muslims. Its construction and architectural style is almost indistinguishable from a Chinese Buddhist temple, but look closely and you will see the Arabic script and Islamic motifs that decorate the mosque. The main axis of the mosque is aligned in a very non-Chinese east to west direction in order to face Mecca.

Day 6 – Victoria Jenna

Today you private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. On your arrival your private tour starts with the visit of Chongqing zoo and the Flying Tigers Museum.

Chongqing Zoo : China’s most famous animal gets somewhat pampered in the Giant Panda Hall at the Chongqing Zoo. Take a short visit to see these wonderful creatures at rest and at play.

Flying Tigers Museum : Housed in the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell, the Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek in 1942 during World War II, this museum is a tribute to the first American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, also known as the Flying Tigers. The Tigers fought against the much stronger Japanese Air Force, shooting down over 2600 Japanese aircrafts at the cost of 500 planes.

Then enjoy dinner on your own before heading to the cruise ship for embarkation. The guide will recommend to you some restaurants and will help you to check in for the cruise.

9:00 pm – Board Victoria Yangtze River Cruise

Accommodation on board

Day 7 – Victoria Jenna

On board you will share daily excursions with the other passengers.

Shore Excursion to Fengdu : On this guided shore excursion, you will learn how Fengdu got its reputation as the “Ghost City” during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Shore Excursion to Shibaozhai : Shibaozhai, which literally translates to, “Precious Stone Fortress,” is an extremely steep, rocky hill standing about 660 feet tall. A red pavilion with nine floors leans against the side of the hill, and provides a walkway to the temple located at the top.

Day 8 – Victoria Jenna

On board you will share daily excursions with the other passengers.

Qutang Gorge : The Qutang Gorge is the shortest and most majestic of the Three Gorges, and winds five miles along numerous scenic spots.

Wu Gorge : Winding over 25 miles, this gorge is the second of the Three Gorges and is famous for its beauty and the fog that often surrounds the twelve peaks on each bank. Among the twelve, the Goddess Peak is the highest and most notable, as it is the first peak to welcome the sun’s rays in the morning and the last peak to lose the sun’s glow at dusk.

Shore Excursion to White Emperor City : Legend has it that this ancient temple complex was once surrounded by a white mist, giving the place an aura of mystery and serenity. Due to rising water levels from the Three Gorges Dam, the temple is now located on an island and is protected as a Chinese national heritage site.

Day 9 – Shanghai

Three Gorges Dam Project : This incredible project is the largest water conservation initiative ever undertaken by man, and has created many “firsts,” such as being the most efficient dam in the world for flood control, the most difficult construction project ever completed, and the largest hydropower project on earth. Enjoy a guided shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam in the morning before disembarking in Yichang.

You disembark in Yichang at 09:00 am. Your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. On your arrival, private transfer to your hotel.

Day 10 – Shanghai

This morning your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit the Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden. Afternoon at leisure.

Shanghai Museum (Replaced by City Planning Center on Mondays) : This museum contains one of the finest collections of ancient Chinese art and antiques in the world. The distinctive building was designed in the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel, and contains 11 permanent and 3 rotating galleries. The museum has over 120,000 priceless pieces in its collection, including bronze, jade, ceramics, calligraphy, sculptures, paintings, furniture, imperial seals, and ancient coins.

Yu Garden : Four hundred years ago, a merchant spent almost twenty years—and all his life savings—to build a garden in order to please his parents in their old age. “Yu” means peace and health in Chinese. Over the past several centuries, the Yu Garden has been restored and reopened several times, but has almost always been in disarray. In 1956, the Shanghai city government took over and restored it to its former splendour, making it a peaceful oasis in the heart of bustling Shanghai. Outside the garden gates, the Old Bazaar is the perfect place to strike a bargain or chat with locals selling a variety of wares and souvenirs.

Day 11 – Shanghai

Free at leisure

Enjoy a day entirely on your own to explore the city, do some shopping, or relax.

Day 12 – Departure

Enjoy your breakfast before departing with your private driver to the airport for your flight home.

Price/Hotels

Dates

Price Per Person From

Departs Daily

$4,100

Hotel Experience

JW MARRIOTT CENTRAL BEIJING: BEIJING

JW Marriott Hotel Beijing Central offers an excellent location in Xuanwumen, the ancient heart of Beijing, ideal for both executive retreats and leisure travelers. The hotel features luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites equipped with kitchens. The Sky Garden suites feature open air balconies. The hotel’s three restaurants and one lounge provide a variety of local and international gourmet experiences. The top floor health club offers guests a 24 hour fully equipped gym, whirlpool, steam room, sauna and a swimming pool with abundant natural light. A dedicated event floor includes an 800 square meter grand ballroom, a 300 square meter residential style living room and nine function rooms.

WYNDHAM GRAND SOUTH XI’AN: XI’AN

Boasting an incredible location in the center of Qujiang New District and near the Dayan Pagoda and Xi’an Qujiang International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Wyndham Grand Xian South is a luxury hotel in Shaanxi’s capital. Effortlessly fusing traditional Chinese architectural influences with contemporary styling, the Xian hotel offers excellent services and amenities, a chic lobby lounge, superb dining options, as well as 5000 square meters of contemporary meeting and event space, ideal for business gatherings or social events and weddings. Iconic attractions as well as the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport are situated in close proximity to the hotel. Accommodations feature spacious, elegant and well appointed guest rooms, equipped with flat screen TV, free WI-FI internet access and broadband internet access, plush bedding and a spa like bathroom.

VICTORIA JENNA

Launched in 2009, Victoria Jenna is one of the largest, most technologically advanced ships on the Yangtze River. The 10,000-ton, 418-passenger vessel is almost 440 feet long, spans six decks and is roughly 50 percent larger than other Victoria cruise ships. Victoria Jenna is equipped with two dining rooms (a main dining room and an a la carte restaurant).All 208 cabins have televisions with HBO and CNN broadcasts, private bathroom with shower and bathtub. Rooms are not internet equipped and the ship has internet cafes which can be used for a fee. Facilities include a games room, conference hall, meeting rooms, library, bar, cafe, sauna, gym, beauty salon, sun deck, observation deck, business centre, dancing/ disco, banquet hall, elevators and dining rooms.

REGAL INTERNATIONAL EAST ASIA SHANGHAI: SHANGHAI

The luxurious Regal International East Asia Hotel is ideally located on the popular Hengshan Road with it’s cafes, bars, exquisite shops and beautifully arranged gardens as well as various kinds of foreign style houses scattered along the dense boulevard. The impressive tree lined promenade stretches to the two ends of the famed commercial and leisure center, Xu Jia Hui and Huai Hai Road. The prestigious diplomatic district is within walking distance of Shanghai’s dining, shopping, nightlife and entertainment venues. The luxury Shanghai hotel features a tastefully designed, contemporary setting with hints of Oriental flair, offering guests tranquility and serenity in a relaxed environment.

Note: Limited Availability, some hotels may not be available. Prices are per person.